But do American Jews know the difference between Bibi, Bogie, Benny and Bugie?
{Previously published by The Jerusalem Post}
Israelis will go to the polls this spring to cast their
ballots for a myriad of competing parties, one of which will then be asked to
try to stitch together an unruly coalition, highlighting how very democratic
and disorderly Israel’s parliamentary system is. This is not necessarily the
best system for a nation that is in a constant state of war.
American Jews of all stripes are also gearing up to support or demonize their
preferred or hated candidates and parties. Actually, it is not so different
from what Israelis do themselves. But in the age of US President Donald Trump,
where Israelis generally appreciate his support if not his style, many American
Jews viscerally hate anything he does, even if it’s something in their
interest.
But do American Jews know the difference between Bibi,
Bogie, Benny and Bugie?
Leaving aside the funny nicknames, this is a deadly serious question as
Americans want to weigh in on this pivotal election, while the growing Iranian
menace threatens Israel from three sides, and Trump plans to announce a peace
plan right after the election, which some in the know say might involve some
difficult or even unacceptable demands on Israel.
What are the effects, in Israel, in the US, and the rest of the world, of the
perceived opinions of American Jewry?
What could be worse for Israel’s international reputation than to have it
perceived that the Jews of America on the whole believe the nation; the people
of Israel are the intransient party and deserve to be punished?
Weighing in on the Israeli election from 8,000 kilometers away highlights the
conflicting perspectives of the 21st century’s two largest Jewish populations.
If Israel is the home of the Jewish people, should American
Jews deserve a voice, if not a vote, and be taken seriously? If American Jews
don’t put their children in harm’s way, how much should their concerns be
considered? After all, it is Israelis who have to live with the consequences.
Yossi Klein Halevi, in a Moment Magazine interview, said that the divide
between the communities was inevitable.
”Israelis live in the most dangerous… neighborhood in the world; American Jews
live in the most hospitable environment that Jews have ever lived in… Too many
American Jews speak of ending the occupation as if Israel were an island in the
South Pacific… not a miniscule country surrounded by some of the most lethal
terrorist groups in the world… For Israelis, the essential element is Jewish
solidarity and self-protection. For American Jewish liberals, it’s empathy for
the other, especially the oppressed.”
American Jews are overwhelming liberal, live in economic and physical security,
and haven’t changed their political affiliations despite their changing
socio-economic status over generations. Israelis, on the other hand, were much
more liberal 25 years ago during the euphoric but illusory days after the Oslo
Accord.
All that changed for Israelis with the Second Intifada, as they shifted to the
center and right. Even after the Intifada subsided, those still hoping for a
reasonable Palestinian partner were disabused of the idea when Abbas refused to
even respond to Olmert’s offer of 100% of the disputed territory with land
swaps.
American Jews who didn’t suffer the physical and emotional consequences of the
Second Intifada didn’t shift their perspective, remaining convinced that this
conflict is still simply about territory and an occupation, victimizer and
victim. Today many still judge Israel as the primary intransient party, as
though this is still 1995.
American Jews do not understand that for most Israelis, security will be their
primary concern when they go to the ballot box, not pluralism, even if they
abhor the disproportionate influence of ultra-Orthodoxy.
As important as socioeconomic issues are to Israelis – and they are – they take
second place to life-and-death security concerns in a society where every
citizen is supposed to serve in the armed forces. In America, 1.4% of women and
13.4% of men have ever served in the military, a humbling difference.
When Israelis go to vote, they must balance lives that respect their Jewish
values, but can never forget they live in a neighborhood where the weak are
slaughtered and the world turns a blind eye to genocide. That is the reality
they live in, and which too many Americans ignore. It explains to some extent
why Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has endured for so long.
Americans who are interested in the upcoming Israeli election will read about
it in their own echo chambers that reinforce their pre-determined points of
view, rarely challenging ourselves with different opinions, usually dismissing
them because they come from non-trusted sources.
American liberal Jews will read Haaretz and The New York Times, listen to NPR,
watch MSMBC/ CNN and think they know what is really happening in the fistfight
of the upcoming April election. Meanwhile, American conservatives will read
National Review, the editorials of the Wall Street Journal, watch Fox and think
they have all the answers.
From so far away, when American towns and cities are not in the crosshairs of
Hamas, Iran and Hezbollah, it is easy to pontificate and give advice to
Israelis, claiming your objective perspective and harsh medicine are needed for
Israel’s benefit. Some even claim to be pro-Israel, rationalizing that
boycotting products from Judea and Samaria (West Bank) is for Israel’s own
benefit, while ignoring the incessant and unrelenting Jew hatred from Israel’s
erstwhile peace partners.
This is the reality for far too many American Jews, who weigh in and think they
know all about the Middle East. They tell me that this is what they have heard
from their rabbis, who heard it first hand from Rabbis for Human Rights, or a
speaker from J Street, an NGO that claims Israel is not a democracy, or have
visited Ramallah with a trip organized by a group like Breaking the Silence, to
listen to PA officials who claim it is all the occupation, not their incitement
and kleptocracy.
Let’s be clear… Israel has thrown kerosene into the fire of civil relations
between the communities by not figuring out some way to respect American Jewish
religious denominations, allowing the ultra-Orthodox to disenfranchise the
largest Diaspora Jewish community in the world.
Israelis seem unaware that American Jewish organizations are vital for their
security interests by educating members of Congress about the role of Israel as
a bulwark of American national security.
Which brings us to the upcoming Israeli election.
Too many American Jews cannot differentiate between Netanyahu, his policies and
the State of Israel. They wouldn’t say America doesn’t have a right exist
because they hate Trump; we organize and vote for an alternative in the next
election.
But they are angry that the Israeli people have continued to support their
current government, so they advocate “tough love” things like BDS that would do
serious damage to the nation of Israel.
When the world’s major forces decide whether or not to throw Israel under the
bus, economically or militarily, it does matter what are perceived to be the
voices of American Jewry, too often saying that Israel deserves or needs to be
punished.
Netanyahu may lose, be indicted, or win, but Israel will remain the democratic
nation of the Jewish people long after his political life expires. So to all
American Jews across the political spectrum, if you don’t like an Israeli
candidate or a government policy, please speak out loud and clear. But don’t
mistake a party or candidate for Israel the country, joining those who want to
delegitimize Israel the nation.
Too many American Jews don’t seem to mind throwing out the baby with the
bathwater.
The author is the director of Middle East Political and Information Network™
(MEPIN™), and is a regular contributor to The Jerusalem Post. MEPIN™ is a
Middle East research analysis read by members of Congress, their foreign policy
advisers, members of the Knesset, journalists, and organizational leaders.